Why a Phone Interview Is Not as Easy as It Sounds

Sooner or later in your job search, you will likely have to deal with a phone interview. This is not uncommon in the early stages of the interview process. Phone interviews are also common for remote or virtual job positions.

Although doing a phone interview might seem like a cinch, there are actually a number of pitfalls to look out for. Indeed, a phone interview can involve just as much preparation as a face-to-face interview.

So, why can make a phone interview harder?

A phone interview presents a different challenge than a face-to-face interview because you won’t get to communicate through body language, facial expressions, or gestures. In a phone call you only have your tone, so communication will be critical.

With this in mind, you should now understand why preparation is even more important; without it, your answers will sound less impressive, even if you have the best skills and qualifications of all the candidates.

Why do many people fail in a phone interview?

There is a misconception among people that because the interview is going to be through a phone call, they can just have it anytime and go through the interview even while they’re currently doing something else. An interview is never easy, whether it be in person or through the phone, and should be taken seriously.

Here are some tips for having a better phone interview:

Make the most of what’s available – What a phone interview has that an in-person interview doesn’t is the ability to have “cheat sheets” in front of you. Feel free to silently look at these “cheat sheets” while in the interview. When you have your resume and notes based on your research, you can give more effective answers.

Dress the part – Our brain has a number of preconditioned responses; for example, when you wear your pajamas, your brain’s response is to make you feel sleepy. If you want to your brain to function as it would in a face-to-face interview, wear something that you would wear in an interview.

Prepare your discussion about moving – When you apply for a job outside of your area, an employer will assume that you’d be willing to move. Having a prepared answer will show that you really are ready for whatever relocation is necessary.

Remember, an employer may not be able to see you, but this doesn’t mean that the interview will be easier. You’ll need to work harder in communicating your qualifications and skills than you would in an in-person interview.

Alan is the creator of Interview Success Formula, a training program that has helped more than 40,000 job seekers to ace their interviews and land the jobs they deserve. Interviewers love asking curveball questions to weed out job seekers. But the truth is, most of these questions are asking about a few key areas. Learn more about how to outsmart tough interviewers by watching this video.